Playing tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons or Pathfinder thankfully doesn’t carry the same stigma it once did. That’s great because as this TEDx talk explains, the game can do a lot to help you in real life.

Remember back when you were in school, and your teacher would announce that a new group project was being assigned? If your classrooms were anything like mine, you recall hearing a collective groan echo from chalkboard to chalkboard.

When you’re working together with people, nothing kills a productive mood like naysayers. If you want to keep their negativity to a minimum, intentionally ask everyone for opposition so they can get it out of their system.

Playing board games is a whole lot of fun, but some of the more difficult and complex games can actually help you learn things, too. Whether you’re trying to speed up your math skills or become a stronger negotiator, here are a few skills you can build (and the games that help you build them).

When it comes to planning, you want to have every aspect covered as best you can. The "tenth man rule" always has someone play the part of contrarian no matter how solid your plan looks to make it even more effective.

If you work in a remote team, one of the aspects you quickly notice is the importance of communication. Finding the best ways to communicate with your team is imperative when you're not working face-to-face, because you're missing most—if not all—of the context of each person's situation.

When you hear about role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, you probably picture a dimly-lit basement filled with people in silly robes rolling dice, but there's much more to it than that. Not only are role-playing games incredibly fun, but they can actually teach you skills you'll use in the real world.

I've always been fascinated with how some teams work well together and how some managers get great results, but what is it that makes a team excel? In my experience as an employee and now as a manager, I've tried to pinpoint how to create an efficient and effective team.

When you get frustrated with someone—be it a coworker, teammate, or partner—a typical reaction is to call them out. Instead of highlighting the problems in the open—and possibly embarrassing them—use it as an opportunity to be a positive influence and help.

When you're heading a collaboration of any kind, the number of people you bring on board can change how effective your team's output is. Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, suggests employing the "two pizza rule" to help keep yourself from including too many people.

We've all been there—one accidental email, and suddenly your entire organization is filling your inbox with angry replies. Gaffes at work happen to everyone, but you can learn how to navigate the politics of your workplace to keep your cool and avoid drama.

Great teams don't just happen. Those teams that fit together like puzzle pieces are the result of hard work and thoughtful leadership. But what exactly are the things you need to look for when putting together a highly effective team?

Getting a group together to brainstorm an idea can seem productive. But too many ideas can make progress impossible. To really get moving, give yourself time to come up with ideas, then rally the troops when it comes time to execute.

The way you're treated at your job can affect your drive. A recent study shows that motivation increases when people are treated as partners while working together with others, even if they're physically apart.